Cubs Notes: Sveum, Fielder, Wood

Dale Sveum was formally introduced as the Cubs' new manager today. Here are a few notes from Wrigleyville….

Sveum told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he hasn't talked to Cubs management about pursuing Prince Fielder this winter. "We haven't gotten that far," said Sveum. "'Influence' is probably not the right word. I've been here 24 hours. I don't know how much influence I have." Sveum did admit that if the Cubs did decide to target Fielder, "I think me being here can only help the process."

As Haudricourt notes in his piece, the close relationship between Sveum and Fielder will ensure some talk between the Cubs and the free agent slugger, since Scott Boras (Fielder's agent) will surely initiate contact if the Cubs don't.

Theo Epstein wants Kerry Wood to return to the Cubs next season, reports ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine. "He makes us a better organization," Epstein said. "That's because of what he brings to the clubhouse as well as his leadership so I'd like to get him back in the fold and move forward with him."

you’re underestimating the payroll space the Cubs have. There’s plenty of space to sign Fielder and still upgrade pitching, so settling for Peña is saying they’re not even gonna try to get a significant upgrade in offensive production, which the Cubs still need.

Yep Fielder makes sense in a Cub uni… makes even more sense with -the brewers old bench coach?? Cubs? You guys had sooo much going for ya.. why Svuem? Francona was at least a wildcard (2now) spot in 2012… Dammit Im a Cards fan and even Im getting tired of the BS… You guys have to be in the playoffs next year! You have too.

Im not saying Pena is better. Im saying for the value I would rather see Pena in cubbie blue again and the money they would save from a big contract for fielder or Pujols, They could spend on pitching.
Im with Wrigleyterror. I believe if pena felt more then a “rental” and with a year with the cubs under his belt. He will IMPROVE.

based on what? he improved over the previous season and was still a sub-par 1B. and even if he were to improve, he’s not in the same discussion as Fielder. a down year for Fielder is better than a bounce back year for Peña. and the 1B is a position where the Cubs don’t have a promising prospect waiting in the wings, which they do at pretty much every other position, including pitching. Fielder is the missing piece, especially for the long run.

look better overall id say fielder has better #’s. but pena suits the cubs at the moment.
As a realistic cub fan you have to look at the facts. Cubs are going to be in a rebuild mode for at least 2-3 years. now signing fielder would be a big fan attraction, sell jerseys, and probably sell out the cubs convention. But he wont have a Strong core around him right away. and realistically he wants 8-10 years and 200+ Mil. now fielder could give you a few solid years, but he will fall apart unless he changes his lifestyle.

The big question is do the cubs want to add another Hefty contract while in a rebuilding mode? i dont think they do. i think they want to spread the money around and fill multiple holes. Pena would fill some similar needs at a cheaper price. We could sign pena for 2-3 years and still have a LH 1b with power, and plays solid defense. (which we will need sense its looking like dewitt/baker and castro will be on the left side of the infield)

Also i agree with Jason he as proven hes just not a one year rental, he has won over alot of fans and his overall play will go up if tendered a contract in 2012.

first off, you’re not a psychic, you can’t see the future and you can’t confidently state that Pena is going to be better.

secondly, pena hits at an awful rate, a .220 avg is terrible, no matter how you look at it. he won’t hit with nearly as much power as fielder, and he’ll hit at a much lower rate, and strikeout at a much higher rate. and a strikeout is literally a 0% productive PA. his defense is pretty much average or only slightly above, he’s not as special with the glove as you guys make him sound.

third, the cubs may be rebuilding, but they can still be contenders, I mean the rays are constantly having turnover and bringing up youngsters and they contend, so it can happen. brett jackson is probably going to make the big league club this year, which would fill out the outfield with Byrd and Soriano still taking up spots. they’re set at SS and catcher. they need to fill out 3B and 2B. if LeMahieu, who proved he can hit in the minors pretty well, doesn’t make the big league club then Barney will be returning at 2B. The two positions up for grabs are 3B and 1B. Josh Vitters has made steady progress and could make the club possibly at some point later in the season, or probably for sure the following season which would take care of third. matt sczuzr will be ready in a couple years, and will take over once byrd is gone. soriano’s not going anywhere until his contract is over. and since there’s gonna be a lot of turnover with young pre-arb players, there is going to be a HUGE abundance of payroll space to easily accommodate a big contract like Fielder would demand, and still have plenty of space for pitching help.

Now i say Pena is going to get better because he is now use to the NL. Correct me if im wrong but throughout his career he has been with only AL teams. Tigers,Yankees,Red Sox, Rays. And he just needed time to adjust to a New League and Team.
Now some people may call his Defense average or slightly above average. But i think his glove is great, he saved so many runs for the cubs last season. Thats why i think he will improve, if he signs with us again.

The main things on fielder that im concerned about him signing a Long term contract, and him falling apart on the field. His Bat will be great no matter what. i just dont want him having to hit use back into a game after being down by his errors.

Seattle.. no. They always are in the conversations in the offseason. I think the guy at least wants the chance to win.. he will sign a big contract but Im sure he will make sure its in a place where he has a chance. Not offense to Seattle.. they just haven’t set the city up for a WS in a while. Miami..maybe. If it comes down to a “soft offseason” for the Marlins and things dont work out and its the last offer on the table..maybe. Just dont see it. Washington, yes. I do see this as I believe everyone can see this given the last off season and their premature spending.. They are the type of team that are “all in”.. I could go all day on the Nationals but Ill save you on that one, Haha. They will be in contention for years to come but I honestly think Washington is set up to collapse.. Should be at least 1-2 decades till they win a World Series.. and again no disrespect to our nations capital.. I just think that organization is rushing the feel.

I have a feeling that Prince will sign with whoever offers the most cash, pure and simple.
I hope the St. Louis front office finds a way to keep Albert without financially gutting the team for the next decade. Even for a Cub fan, it’s impossible to not admire and appreciate the accomplishments he has achieved on and off the field.
The Cards/Cubs rivalry will be much more entertaining in the years to come with Albert wearing red.